Man holds several people hostage inside Dutch cafe

Several people have been taken hostage at a popular cafe in an eastern Dutch town, police said.

The man entered the premises of Café Petticoat, in Ede, early in the morning threatening to blow himself up, local media reported.

Police confirmed three people have been released, but said the "situation is not over yet".

Residents in about 150 homes around the area have been evacuated and the town centre has been closed down.

There was no indication of a terrorist motive at this time, according to police.

"A hostage situation involving several people is underway in a building in the centre" of the town of Ede, police said in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Police added they had cleared off a cordon around the cafe and that they asked the public to stay away from the scene.

Among the hostages are employees working at the cafe, the owner told national newspaper De Telegraaf.

Anti-explosives units and police in protective gear were pictured at the scene.